Dimmer and turn signal control mechanism



Aug. 30, 1966 c. c. STRATTON 3,270,154

DIMMER AND TURN SIGNAL CONTROL MECHANISM Filed Dec. 26, 1965 WHANN 8McMAN/GAL llfl'orneys fiar fl I i/can/ 4/ {mum 34 IN VEN TOR.

United States Patent "ice 3,270,154 DIMMER AND TURN SIGNAL CONTROLMECHANISM Cleo C. Stratton, 1732 Mallory St., San Bernardino, Calif.Filed Dec. 26, 1963, Ser. No. 333,555 Claims. (Cl. 20061.29)

automobiles and the like is that of the return of the switch to the offposition after a signal has been given and the operator has completedthe turn. This is a particular problem when changing lanes,since thewheels of the automobile are not turned a'sufficient distance so thatthe directional signal switch will be opened when the automobile isstraightened out after the change in lanes has been completed.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a directionalswitch that will minimize or overcome this difficulty.

It is another object of the invention to provide a switch mechanism ofthis character that is foot operated.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a switchmechanism of this character that is combined with the dimmer switch.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a switch mechanismthat is relatively simple in construction.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a switchmechanism of this character wherein patentable novelty resides in thedirectional switchmeans per se.

' It is another object of the invention to provide switch means of thischaracter that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture. i

It is still another object of the invention to provide switch means ofthis character that may be easily and 'any structures, arrangements ormodes of operation that After consider- I are properly within the scopeof the appended claims. r

Referring to the drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only: 7

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a switch mechanism embodying thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is an end view with the adjacent directional switch removed;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3.3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view taken on line 44 ofFIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged top plan view.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, there is showndiagrammatically or schematically a switch mechanism embodying thepresent invention;

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, there is shown a portion of a floor board10 of an automobile, said floor board having an opening 11 therethroughfor reception of the switch box 12 of a dimmer switch, indicatedgenerally at 14, said switch box havinga top plate 15 secured to the topside of said floor board 10 by screws 16. The dimmer switch is of anywell known type and Patented August 30, 1966 includes a barrel 17extendingupwardly of the switch box and scured to the plate 15 thereof.The switch mechanism is disposed within the switch box 12 and isactuated by a plunger 17a, disposed within the barrel 17 and carrying acap 18 at the upper end which slidably fits on the upper end portion ofthe barrel 17. There is sufiicient clearance between the upper end wall19 of the cap and the adjacent upper end of the barrel to permitsufficient downward movement of the cap to actuate the switch mechanismdisposed in the switch box 12. There is a spring 17b within the barrel17 which urges the cap 18 upwardly to its upper limit of movement sothat said cap is normally at its raised or uppermost position.

There is a beam 20 having depending flanges 21 secured theretointermediate the ends thereof and straddling the cap 18, said flanges 21being pivotally mounted on screws 22 which extend through openingsprovided therefor in said flanges and screwed into tapped openingsprovided therefor in the cap 18 at diametrically opposite sides thereof.Thus the beam 20 is adapted to see-saw on the screws 22. In order tomaintain the beam 20 in a position substantially normal to the axis ofthe barrel 17 there is a spring 23 disposed between the top or end wall19 of the cap 18 and the underside of the beam 20, the central portionof beam 20 being spaced upwardly of the upper end of the cap 18 of thedimmer switch to provide space for said spring 23 and operating spacefor the see-saw movement of said beam, as will be described moreparticularly hereinafter.

The beam 20 is provided with foot pads 24 and 25 at therespective endsthereof and a central foot pad 26. Pads 24, 25 and 26 are of rubber orany other suitable material and may be attached in any suitable manner.For example, each pad may have an opening in one side for slidablereception of the end portion of the beam 20. They may alternatively besecured to the beam by any suitable adhesive. The central pad 26 issecured to the top side of the beam by any Well known adhesive why anyother suitable means.

There is a directional switch at each side of the barrel 17, saiddirectional switches being indicated generally by the respectivereference characters S-L and SR. These switches are of the sameconstruction and operation and are secured to the beam 20, as will bedescribed more particularly hereinafter. Since these switches S-L andS-R are of the same construction and operation, a description of onewill suflice.

Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a longitudinal sectional view of oneof the directional switches. The switch comprises a body 30 ofelectrically insulating material, said body having an axial bore 31therethrough. At one end there is an annular flange or extension 32defining an enlarged chamber 33 and at the opposite end there is areduced diameter end portion 34. The material of the body is of arelatively stiff plastic or the like, such as Bakelite, for example.There are, of course, various other well known materials of suitablecharacter.

A plug 35 is secured in the upper end of the chamber 33 by any suitablemeans, such as, for example, a screw 36, which is disposed in an openingprovided there- .for in the flange 32 and screwed into a tapped bore 37in said plug. At its inner end the plug 35 is provided witha reduceddiameter spring retaining portion 38 having an electrical contact 39arranged axially thereof and embedded or otherwise suitably secured insaid plug. A diagonally arranged passage or bore 40 is provided in theplug for reception of an electrical wire 41 having its inner endsoldered or otherwise suitably secured to said contact 39. Plug 35 isalso provided with an axial tapped bore 42 extending inwardly from theouter end thereof for reception of a screw 43 whereby the switch 3 isattached to the beam 20. The screw 43 extends through an openingprovided therefor in said beam and extends part way through said plug,so that its inner end is spaced from the contact 39.

A tubular bearing or sleeve 45 is disposed within the bore 31 of theswitch body, said bearing being secured in said bore by any suitablemeans such as press fitting, for example. Slidable within the sleeve orhearing 45 is a rod 46 having a head 47 of greater diameter than saidrod, said head having an upturned annular flange 48 thereon forreception of the lower end of a spring 49. The upper end of spring 49 isdisposed about the spring retaining part 38 of the plug 35 and saidspring urges the head, and hence the plunger 46, downwardly. Engagementof the head with the upper end of the sleeve or hearing 45 limitsdownward movement of said plunger, the lower end of said plungerextending downwardly or outwardly of the hearings or sleeve 45 and body30 of the switch. The head 47 of the plunger 46 is provided with acontact point 50 in alignment with the contact 39, so that when theplunger 46 moves upwardly or inwardly the contact 50 will engage thecontact 39, thereby closing the switch. An electrical wire 51 isdisposed in a passage or opening in the body 30 and is soldered orotherwise secured to the sleeve 45. Thus when the contact points 50 and39 are in engagement there is completed a connection through the switch.

At the lower end of the body 30 there is disposed a flexible cap 53 ofinsulating material, such as rubber or the like. The open upper end ofthe cap 53 receives the reduced diameter portion 34 of the body 30 andsaid cap may be secured to the body by a suitable adhesive or the like.

The depending or outwardly extending :lower end portion of the plungerextends into engagement with the lowermost portion of the cap 53 and itis to be understood that the plunger has a loose enough fit in thesleeve or bearing 45 so that air in the chamber formed by the cap 53 maypass upwardly and downwardly with corresponding movements of the lowerend of cap 53. Chamber 33 at the upper end of the switch is vented toatmosphere by means of a vent 54.

There are a pair of leaf springs 57 and 58 at each side of the barrel 17of the dimmer switch. Each of these springs have its inner end securedto the plate by any suitable means such as spot welding or the like andis inclined upwardly and outwardly relative to said barrel so that theyare operably disposed beneath the respective directional switches SL andS-R. Normally the resilient end portions of said springs 57 and 58 arespaced beneath the lower ends of the respective directional switches andare also spaced upwardly of the plate 15 so that they may flexdownwardly when engaged by the lower ends of said dimmer switches whenthe beam is actuated in one direction or the other.

Assuming it is desired to indicate a left hand turn, the beam 20 isactuated in the counterclockwise direction by pressure of the operatorsfoot on the pad 24. As the beam 20 is moved in the counterclockwisedirection the lower end of the switch S-L engages the outer resilientend portion of the leaf spring 57. This spring is sufiiciently strongerthan the spring 49 of the switch and the resilience of the rubber cap53, so that said spring 49 and cap 53 will yield and cause the plunger46 to move upwardly to efiect electrical engagement between the contact50 and the contact 39, thereby closing the switch. Additional pressurewill, of course, cause the spring 57 to yield. When pressure is releasedon the pad 24 the beam 20 will return to its normal horizontal position.Pressure on the pad will effect movement of the beam 20 in the clockwisedirection and close the switch S-R in the manner just described inconnection with the switch SL.

When it is desired to dim the lights, foot pressure is applied to thepad 26 to effect downward movement of the cap 18 to thereby actuate thedimmer switch. The portions of the leaf springs 57 and 58 disposedbetween the respective directional switches SL and S-R are spaceddownwardly from the lower ends of said directional switches a sufiicientdistance so that when pressure is applied to the pad 26 the cap 18 ofthe dimmer switch may move the full distance required to effectoperation of said dimmer switch for dimming the lights before the lowerends of said directional switches engage said springs 57 and 58.

It is to be understood, of course, that the dimmer switch circuit is thesame as that presently in use and the directional switches SL and S-Rare arranged in suitable circuits for controlling the respective lightsfor indicating left-hand and right-hand turns.

The invention and its attendant advantages will be understood from theforegoing description and it will be apparent that various changes maybe made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts of theinvention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof orsacrificing its material advantages, the arrangement hereinbeforedescribed being merely by way of example, and I do not wish to berestricted to the specific form shown or uses mentioned except asdefined in the accompanying claims, wherein various portions have beenseparated for clarity of reading and not for emphasis.

I claim:

1. A switch mechanism, comprising:

(A) a dimmer switch having a switch box with switch mechanism therein, aplate at the top of said box whereby the dimmer switch may be attachedto a support, a barrel extending upwardly of said plate and having amovable cap slidably disposed at the outer upper end thereof biased toan outer position and adapted to effect closing of said switch whenmoved downwardly, and effect opening of said switch when at said outerposition;

(B) a beam centrally pivoted to said cap and spaced therefrom asufficient distance to permit operable see-saw movement of said beam;

(C) yielding means normally positioning said beam in a neutralsubstantially horizontal position;

(D) a foot pad attached to each end of said beam and a foot pad attachedto the central portion thereof;

(E) a directional switch at each side of said barrel;

(F) each of said switches compising a body of insulating material havingan annular upwardly extending cylindrical flange defining a chamber,said body having an axial bore 'therethrough and a reduced diameterlower end portion;

(G) a plug secured in the upper end of said chamber;

(H) means securing said plug to the adjacent portion of said beam;

(1) an electrical contact secured to the inner end of said plug;

(J a tubular bushing secured in said bore;

(K) a plunger slidably disposed in said bushing and having a head at theupper end;

(L) a movable contact secured to the upper end of 'said head and movableinto and out of engagement with said fixed contact with correspondingmovements of said plunger;

(M) yielding means urging said head and plunger downwardly intoengagement with the upper end of said bushing;

(N) a hollow resilient cap attached to the reduced diameter lower endportion of the switch body, the lower end of said plunger engaging thelower central portion of said cap;

(0) wires for the respective contacts for connecting same intorespective electrical circuits;

(P) and yielding means for each directional switch, each yielding meanshaving one end attached to the plate of the switch box and having theother end disposed beneath the respective directional switch,

said one end of said yielding means being spaced from the adjacent endof said respective directional switch.

2. A switch mechanism, comprising the combinatiton (F) yielding meansbiasing each movable member for actuating same in the opposite directionfor opening said switch;

(G) and yielding means for each directional switch,

- 5 said yielding means being positioned relative to its (A) a dimmerswitch having a switch box with switch respective directional switch forexerting pressure mechanism therein, a plate at the top of said box onthe movable member thereof to effect movement whereby the dimmer switchmay be attached to a of said movable member in the switch closingdirecsupport, a barrel extending upwardly of said plate tion after saiddirectional switch has been moved a and having a movable cap slidablydisposed at the 10 predetermined amount toward said yielding means.outer upper end thereof biased to an outer position 4. In a switchmechanism: and adapted to effect closing of said switch when (A) adimmer switch having a movable switch actuatmoved downwardly apredetermined distance and .ing member; effect opening of s switch nmoved t s (B) a beam pivoted to said switch actuating member outerposition; adjacent the longitudinal center of said beam and (B) a acentr lly piv ted t Said ap d sp having see saw movement thereon andengageable therefrom a sufficient distance to permit operable t itherend for o eration; see-saw movement of said beam; (-0) yielding meansnormal-1y positioning said beam (C) yielding means normally positioningsaid beam in i a utr l position;

a neutral Substantially horizontal Position; (D) a normally opendirectional switch secured to the (D) a foot pad attached to each end ofsaid beam and b m at each side of its pivot;

a toot P attached to the Central Portion thereof; (E) and yielding meansfor closing respective switches (E) a directional switch at each side ofsaid barrel, upon i t l ment of aid beam in respective the pp end ofSaid Switches being secured to the directions, said yielding means beingin the path of beam; movement of the directional switches, said dimmereach of Said Switches comprising a y of switch being closed uponactuation of said beam by Sulating material having all annular p ypressure in the region of its pivotal connection with tendingcylindrical flange defining a chamber, said id bl i h actuating member,body having an axial bore therethrough, a plug 5 A l i i h, comprising:

Secured in the pp end of Said chamber; (A) a body of insulating materialhaving an annular (G) an electrical contact secured to the inner and ofcylindrical flange at One d d fi i a ch mber Said P at said one end,said body having an axial bore a movable Phlhger eperahly disposed inSaid here therethrough and a reduced portion at the end oppoand having ahead at the upper end; Site Said fl a movable Contact secured to theupper end of (B) a plug of insulating material secured in the upper saidhead and movable into and out of engagement end f d h b With Said fixedContact with Corresponding move- (C) a fixed electrical contact securedto the inner end ments of said plunger; of Said plug;

(J) yielding means urging said head and Plunger (D) a tubular bushingsecured in said bore;

downwailifly; ('E) a plunger slidably disposed in said bushing and (K) ares1l1ent wall defining a hollow res1l1ent cap athaving an enlarged headat the end adjacent the tached to the 1Wer.end Pomon of h Swltch i fixedcontact, said plunger having a normal posithe lower end of sa1d plungerengaging the res1l1ent tron spaced from said fixed contact, Wall of Sandl ed t id enlared head (L) and yielding means for each directionalsignal, (4F) a {novabe seem 0 Sa g I each yielding means being attachedto the plate of P sa1d P g sa1d vable contact being movab e the switchbox and having a resilient yielding portion Into and out engagment Wlthsa1d fixed Contact disposed beneath a respective directional switch,with movements said Plunger tOWaId and y said yielding portion beingspaced from the adjacent from said fixed contact; end of said respectivedirectional switch. (G) yielding means urging said Plunger to saidnormal 3. A switch mechanism, comprising: position;

(A) a dimmer switch including a switch box, a plate (H) and a hollowresilient cap attached to the refit tellJ thereof, a barrel extending py of duced diameter end portion of the switch body, the 'Said plate andhaving amovflhle p slidathly dis/Posed end of said plunger opposite thehead thereorf enat the outer upper end thereof for actuating saiddirngaging the lower central portion f id cap, mer switch;

(B) a beam; References Cited by the Examiner (C) pivot means adjacentthe longitudinal center of UNITED STATES PATENTS sa1d beam connectmgsa1d beam to sa1d cap for operaible see-saw movement of said beam onsaid cap; 2,357,9 9/ 1944 Rohlhtns ZOO-168 y e ng me s engaging saidbeam and normally 2,453,035 11/1948 Ponsy 200-4 positioning said beam ina neutral substantially hori- 2,534,883 2/1952 Karsch 200-468 zontalposition; 2,592,742 4/1952 Rose (E) a normally open directional switchat each side 5,343 11 1954 Howard 200-6129 of the pivotal connection ofsaid beam, said switches BERNARD A. GILHEANY, Primary Examiner.

ROBERT K. SCHABFER, Examiner.

H. A. LEWITTER, Assistant Examiner.

being secured to the beam and movable therewith and each switch having amovable member for closing same when said movable member is actuated inone direction;

4. IN A SWITCH MECHANISM: (A) A DIMMER SWITCH HAVING A MOVABLE SWITCHACTUATING MEMBER; (B) A BEAM PIVOTED TO SAID SWITCH ACTUATING MEMBERADJACENT THE LONGITUDINAL CENTER OF SAID BEAM AND HAVING SEE-SAWMOVEMENT THEREON AND ENGAGEABLE AT EITHER END FOR OPERATION; (C)YIELDING MEANS NORMALLY POSITIONING SAID BEAM IN A NEUTRAL POSITION; (D)A NORMALLY OPEN DIRECTIONAL SWITCH SECURED TO THE BEAM AT EACH SIDE OFITS PIVOT; (E) AND YIELDING MEANS FOR CLOSING REPECTIVE SWITCHES UPONPIVOTAL MOVEMENT OF SAID BEAM IN RESPECTIVE